Live Long and Prosper: Artists share their favourite things about Chinese New Year

Live Long and Prosper: Artists share their favourite things  about Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is finally around the corner, and we cannot wait. 

To prepare for the long weekend, angbaos, steamboats, and a ton of snacks, we speak to Joanna Dong, Gen Neo, Dru Chen, The Cold Cut Duo, Marcus Lee and Kaye Chia of Neko Highway below about their favourite snacks, songs, and moments during the festive season. 


JOANNA DONG

Zodiac Sign: Metal Rooster 

Favourite CNY Snack: Those tiny spicy dried shrimp spring rolls. 

Favourite CNY Song: I perform an arrangement that is a mashup of '财神' (God of Fortune has Arrived), and Abba’s 'Money Money'. It’s festive, campy, and cheeky!  

Favourite CNY Moment: I love the Lohei/ Yusheng-tossing ritual. I believe that words have power, and that by saying the blessings and wishes aloud, if nothing else, we share our hearts’ desires with those gathered. I come from a mandarin-speaking family, so the vocabulary for what we shout while tossing is quite extensive, and rather creative!

Check out Joanna Dong's latest single, 'A Good Goodbye' below, and let us know what you think here


GEN NEO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zodiac Sign: Earth Snake 

Favourite CNY Snack: Bak Kwa 

Favourite CNY Moment: All of the gatherings and dinners!

Check out Gen Neo's latest single, 'Over You' below, and let us know what you think here


KAYE CHIA (NEKO HIGHWAY)

Favourite CNY Snack: Bak Kwa 

Favourite CNY Song: 'Gong xi Gong xi' – That’s the first CNY song I learned to sing, and also it brings back all the childhood CNY memories whenever I hear it now! 

Favourite CNY Moment: Reunion dinner with the family!

Check out NEKO Highway's latest single below.


DRU CHEN

Zodiac Sign: Metal Horse 

Favourite CNY Snack: Love Letters, because I’m a sucker for romance and it’s crispy. 

Favourite CNY Moment: I love when uncles and aunts loosen up and get a few drinks in them and stop acting so formal. It's always good to show them you love them, and bring down the barriers that often stand between generations.

Check out Dru Chen's debut album below, and let us know what you think here


THE COLD CUT DUO

Zodiac Sign: Monkey (Wilson), Tiger (Gwen) 

Favourite CNY Snack: Wilson – Definitely Bak Kwa!

Gwen – Kueh Bangkit! 

Favourite CNY Song: Wilson – ‘大地回春
Gwen – ‘财神到’ 

Favourite CNY Moment: Wilson: I don’t usually gamble but I ALWAYS look forward to CNY gambling sessions with friends! Hahaha
Gwen: The endless steamboat sessions and never-ending abalone 🙌🏻

Check out The Cold Cut Duo's latest single below, and let us know what you think here


MARCUS LEE

Zodiac sign: Monkey 

Favourite CNY snack: Bak Kwa and Prawn Rolls. Can’t get enough of these but they are both so bad for the throat so its always an exercise of self-control. 

Favourite CNY song: ‘恭喜恭喜恭喜你啊’ – Not sure if this is the correct title, but hearing this song always reminds me of the joy and the festive spirit of CNY. 

Favourite CNY moment: Reunion dinner because of all the sumptuous food. Lo hei is a close second; it’s communal and it’s competitive - getting to see who can toss the highest is always fun!

Check out Marcus Lee's latest single below, and let us know what you think here